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California court: Drivers can read cellphone maps

Drivers in California can legally read a map on their hand-held cellphones while behind the wheel, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.

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Updated: 10:42 PM PST Feb 27, 2014

California court: Drivers can read cellphone maps

Drivers in California can legally read a map on their hand-held cellphones while behind the wheel, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.

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Updated: 10:42 PM PST Feb 27, 2014

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WEBVTT AFTER A PANEL OF JUDGES PUT THE BRAKES ON PART OF THE STATE'S HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE LAW. THEY THREW A DRIVERS TICKET FOR LOOKING AT A MAP ON HIS CELL PHONE DURING A TRAFFIC JAM. DO NOT START DRIVING AND MAPPING JUST YET, BECAUSE MALLORY HOFF IS IN SACRAMENTO AND HOW THIS RULING IS LEAVING DRIVERS CONFUSED. IT CERTAINLY COULD. WE SPOKE TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERT TODAY. HE SAID YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO THINK TWICE HE FOR LOOKING AT A CELL PHONE THAT IS IN YOUR HAND WHILE DRIVING. THE RULING REVERSES THE CONVICTION OF A FRESNO MAN WHO WAS TICKETED IN 2012 FOR LOOKING AT A MAP ON HIS IPHONE WHILE DRIVING. THE JUDGES SAY CALIFORNIA'S HANDS-FREE LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO LOOKING AT MAPS. CLICKS THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW IS VALID SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR. THE FORMER SACRAMENTO SHERIFF AND CONSULTANT FOR THE SACRAMENTO PEACE ASSOCIATION SAYS DESPITE TODAY'S RULING, LOOKING AT A CELL PHONE MAP WHILE DRIVING IS NOT LEGAL. IN THIS CASE, THERE IS EXISTING STATUTE THAT PROHIBITS DRIVING AT A SPEED UNSAFE AND THAT INCLUDES LOOKING AT A MAP. THE STATUTE IS THE BASICS BE LAW. IT SAYS THAT YOU MAY NOT OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IN CONDITIONS -- AT A SPEED THAT IS UNSAFE FOR THOSE CONDITIONS. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CHP TOLD US THAT IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO SPECULATE ON WHAT IMPACT THIS RULING WILL HAVE ON OUR DEPARTMENT. OFFICERS WILL CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE TRAFFIC SAFETY LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS. DRIVERS SAY --? THE MESSAGE THAT IT SENDS IS THAT THERE ARE LOOPHOLES FOR EVERYTHING. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A LOOPHOLE. IF YOU ARE DRIVING, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ON YOUR PHONE. THAT IS WHAT I FEEL. IT IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. NO ONE WE SPOKE WITH SAID THEY WERE ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE

California court: Drivers can read cellphone maps

Drivers in California can legally read a map on their hand-held cellphones while behind the wheel, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.